relocating to Tampa, FL. Trying to decide where to live (to rent, low crime)

[urban achiever]

Hello all.

I realize there are many threads on this subject but I didn't want to hijack another poster's thread to get my question answered.

Anyway, as the title states, I am relocating to Tampa due to a military move. My wife and I are looking for a place to live. We dont have kids so schools arent a huge concern for us. We're looking to rent and would like to get into a place for no more than $1700 a month. We are pretty active and would prefer an area with sidewalks. We dont need to be close to real exciting night-life but would like to be near a few restaurants or bars. I also dont want a long commute so I'd prefer to stay in the South Tampa area.

I've spent a lot of time on Zillow and militarybyowner and I think I've narrowed our options down to Channelside, Hyde Park (near the publix greenwise market), and Harbor Island.

As I already mentioned, we like to stay active. It looks like living in Channelside or Harbor Island would put us real close to a gym, which I like. However, living close to a gym wouldn't be worth it if it means living in a bad area.

I've been lurking on this site for a bit and was hoping to get some insight from folks who know Tampa.

I've visited the city a few times and my wife and I are really looking forward to moving to Tampa and possibly getting an opportunity to finally put down some roots.

Thanks in advance for your help/opinions/comments.

[BigSicily954]

I'm in the same boat, although I'm not military, so I'll be paying close attention to this thread.

Good luck dude. And thanks for your service.

[tinytrump]

-budget requirements are a must- living in New tampa, is pricey, but best location- drive to anywhere is ugh,,, they roads are few and slow during anything--morning- afternoon events whatever, your life style is what determines, what you will like. warning, S Tampa floods...

[urban achiever]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

your life style is what determines, what you will like. warning, S Tampa floods...

Yeah, that's what I figured. I'm mostly leaning towards Hyde Park and Harbor Island. I've just read too many negative comments/postings to be comfortable with Channelside.

Originally Posted by BigSicily954

I'm in the same boat, although I'm not military, so I'll be paying close attention to this thread.

Good luck dude. And thanks for your service.

Thanks. And thanks for your support

[gonzoUSF]

Channelside could be a good fit for what you are looking for and there is a lot of options and places to rent that can easily fit your budget. I don't know your age, but if you are younger you will fit right in, because the majority of people living in Channelside are a younger generation, say upper 20's to low to mid 30's being the norm. All while being a decent commute to MacDill (assuming that's where you will be working)

It's in the midst of downtown right next to the Forum, the TECO line streetcar which can get you to Ybor and Downtown easily if you don't want to walk or drive, also right near the start/end point of the Riverwalk. There are some good places to eat right around the area, namely Precinct Pizza, Le Mouton Noir (bakery), Cit Dog Cantina, Columbia Cafe and Bamboozle Cafe just to name a few.

Powerhouse Gym is a massive gym located at Grand Central at Kennedy, not to mention you have the Riverwalk and Bayshore right there if you like to run,walk or bike outdoors.

Nightlife is also not bad you have Jacksons on harbor island, some in channelside plaza, Ybor which is close by as well as SoHo and Hyde Park which is fairly close.

All of this is about the same for Harbor island. The only major blights with Channelside imo are the ConAgra plant and it's trains and the mixture of random warehouses scattered throughout, however, crime is pretty low here.

Also take a look at the area with Google street view to get a better picture of what it's like.

[burbdweller]

Originally Posted by gonzoUSF

All of this is about the same for Harbor island. The only major blights with Channelside imo are the ConAgra plant and it's trains and the mixture of random warehouses scattered throughout, however, crime is pretty low here.

Also take a look at the area with Google street view to get a better picture of what it's like.

I guess you dont consider the huge ghetto to the North and East a blight?

You dont consider the port as a blight?

You think the area is low crime? Lol... Where do you think all those ghetto people to the North and East go to "shop"??

[gonzoUSF]

Channelside is naturally divided from the rougher areas to its north by the Selmon and from the rougher areas to the east by the port and selmon. So no I do not consider those blights considering they really are not even close enough to Channelside to make Channelside unattractive.

The port is ehh, doesn't bother me and I like seeing and being near the cruise ships so to each is own, but I don't find the port bothersome at all.

And crime, please. Channelside is really low in crime, just because the areas to it's north and to it's north east are high in crime doesn't mean it carries over into Channelside. And considering there is almost no places to 'shop' in Channelside I don't see how that's an issue.

Take a look at this map for example:

[tinytrump]

In the future if the mayor gets his way its gonna be the bomb-- for now its etchy, sketchy,,, near Kennedy towards d-town over priced n small,,, but, it's near the downtown. Once they clean it up--- for now,,, I'll drive from Memorial Hwy. I am afraid of the Bay major flooding

[urban achiever]

Originally Posted by gonzoUSF

Your Post

Thanks for the detailed response. My wife and I are both in our early 30's and the things you mentioned are exactly what draws us to the Channelside area. Things like the powerhouse gym and the proximity to area's suitable for running and biking, such as the Riverwalk or Bayside are especially appealing. I will be working at MacDill and, according to google maps, the commute doesn't look too bad.

I've read a lot of posts on this forum regarding crime and traffic in Tampa. I know Tampa has both, but so do most cities. I just dont want to be in the middle of an awful area of Tampa.

My wife and I have also read about efforts to revitalize the Channelside area. I hope those projects actually get off the ground.

[gonzoUSF]

^^^ If you happen to be somewhat timid of the thought of Channelside, then Harbour Island is right there as well with essentially all the same nearby amenities, but just has a little more buffer from rougher areas. But in no way is Channelside a bad area, I run through there nightly (after 10pm) and have never had an issue. But i realize everyone is different when it comes to how safe one feels.

As for getting to MacDill, it's a super easy drive down Bayshore Blvd, plus the views in the morning make the drive seem like nothing.

And like Tinytrump said, Channelside could be the next big place if everything falls into place. One the legal mess with Channelside gets cleared up and a new owner takes over (hopefully Vinik) great things are supposed to come. Also the area just north of the Forum could be the site of a MLS stadium which is rumored. It's an up and coming area once all this legal stuff gets out of the way.